U.S. patent application number 14/337872 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-29 for electronic smoking article with alternative air flow paths.
The applicant listed for this patent is Altria Client Services Inc.. Invention is credited to Eric Hawes, Srinivasan Janardhan, Yezdi B. Pithawalla.
Application Number | 20150027457 14/337872 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51352772 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150027457 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Janardhan; Srinivasan ; et
al. |
January 29, 2015 |
ELECTRONIC SMOKING ARTICLE WITH ALTERNATIVE AIR FLOW PATHS
Abstract
An apparatus and method of controlling resistance-to-draw of an
electronic smoking article is disclosed, which includes a reusable
portion and a cartomizer portion, and which includes: supplying an
air flow from one or more inlets in an outer cylindrical housing of
the electronic smoking article to a cartomizer via a cartomizer
inlet having a fixed diameter configured to control a
resistance-to-draw of the electronic smoking article and wherein
the cartomizer inlet is located inside the outer cylindrical
housing of the electronic smoking article, wherein a combined air
flow area of the one or more inlets in the outer housing of the
electronic smoking article are greater than a cross-sectional area
of the cartomizer inlet; heating a liquid material from a reservoir
to form an aerosol; and combining the at least initially
volatilized liquid material with the air flow from the cartomizer
inlet.
Inventors: |
Janardhan; Srinivasan; (Glen
Allen, VA) ; Hawes; Eric; (Midlothian, VA) ;
Pithawalla; Yezdi B.; (Midlothian, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Altria Client Services Inc. |
Richmond |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51352772 |
Appl. No.: |
14/337872 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61857931 |
Jul 24, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
131/328 ;
131/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A24F 47/008 20130101;
A24F 40/40 20200101 |
Class at
Publication: |
131/328 ;
131/329 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00 |
Claims
1. An electronic smoking article capable of providing a cigarette
experience without combusting tobacco, comprising: an outer
cylindrical housing extending in a longitudinal direction, the
outer cylindrical housing having one or more inlets configured to
allow air to be drawn into the electronic smoking article; a power
source; a cartomizer, which includes: a reservoir; a heater and
wick arrangement in communication with the reservoir including
liquid material and operative to volatilize liquid material to
produce an aerosol; and a gasket in fluid communication with the
one or more inlets and configured to provide a seal with an
interior surface of the outer cylindrical housing and having a
central, longitudinal air passage configured to provide
resistance-to-draw (RTD) to the electronic smoking article, and
wherein a combined air flow area of the one or more inlets of the
outer cylindrical housing is greater than a cross-sectional area of
the longitudinal air passage of the gasket; a condensation chamber
in communication with an outlet on a downstream end of the
cartomizer; and a mouth-end insert.
2. The electronic smoking article of claim 1, wherein the gasket is
positioned on an upstream end of the cartomizer, and is configured
to control an amount of air flow to the cartomizer during use, and
wherein the amount of air flow through the gasket is mixed with the
volatilized liquid material within the cartomizer to produce the
aerosol.
3. The electronic smoking article of claim 1, comprising; a rigid
tubular insert configured to fit within the gasket, and wherein an
inner diameter of the rigid tubular insert defines the fixed
diameter of the gasket, and which is configured to provide the
resistance-to-draw (RTD) to the electronic smoking article.
4. The electronic smoking article of claim 1, wherein the gasket is
made of a plastic, stainless steel, or a metal, which provides
rigidity to the gasket.
5. The electronic smoking article of claim 1, wherein the heater
and wick arrangement comprises a heated capillary tube, wherein the
heater is operable to heat the capillary tube to a temperature
sufficient to at least initially volatilize liquid material
contained within the capillary tube.
6. The electronic smoking article of claim 1, comprising: control
circuitry operable to control supply of power from the power source
to the heater and wick arrangement.
7. An electronic smoking article capable of providing a cigarette
experience without combusting tobacco, comprising: a reusable
portion housing a power source and circuitry; a cartomizer portion
housing a cartomizer, which includes: a reservoir; and a heater and
wick arrangement in communication with the reservoir including
liquid material and operative to volatilize liquid material to
produce an aerosol; a condensation chamber in communication with an
outlet on a downstream end of the air flow channel; and a mouth-end
insert; and a connector configured to connect the reusable portion
to the cartomizer portion, and wherein the connector has a
plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots, which is in
fluid communication with one or more cartomizer holes, and wherein
the one or more cartomizer holes are configured to provide a source
of air flow to the heater and wick arrangement of the cartomizer,
and wherein a combined air flow area of the plurality of
circumferentially spaced apart slots is greater than a combined
cross-sectional area of the one or more cartomizer holes.
8. The electronic smoking article of claim 7, wherein the one or
more cartomizer holes are in fluid communication with a continuous
annular channel formed in an outer portion of the electronic
smoking article, and axes of the one or more cartomizer holes are
perpendicular to an outer housing of the electronic smoking
article.
9. The electronic smoking article of claim 7, wherein the one or
more cartomizer holes is two cartomizer holes and the plurality of
circumferentially spaced apart slots comprises four slots.
10. The electronic smoking article of claim 7, wherein the
connector has a cylindrical housing with a first end and a second
end, the first end having a plurality of flanges which are
concentric to the first end of the connector and one or more
openings formed between the plurality of flanges, and wherein the
one or more openings form the plurality of slots when the reusable
portion and the cartomizer portion are coupled together.
11. The electronic smoking article of claim 10, wherein each of the
plurality of flanges has a relatively round portion and an angled
portion.
12. The electronic smoking article of claim 11, comprising: a
continuous annular channel formed between an outer surface of the
cartomizer and an inner portion of the plurality of flanges, and
wherein the continuous annular channel is in fluid communication
with the one or more cartomizer holes.
13. The electronic smoking article of claim 7, wherein the heater
and wick arrangement comprises a heated capillary tube, wherein the
heater is operable to heat the capillary tube to a temperature
sufficient to at least initially volatilize liquid material
contained within the capillary tube.
14. An electronic smoking article capable of providing a cigarette
experience without combusting tobacco, comprising: a reusable
portion housing a power source and circuitry; a cartomizer portion
housing a cartomizer, which includes: a reservoir; and a heater and
wick arrangement in communication with the reservoir including
liquid material and operative to volatilize liquid material to
produce an aerosol; a condensation chamber in communication with an
outlet on a downstream end of the air flow channel; and a mouth-end
insert; and at least one vent hole positioned in the reusable
portion of the electronic smoking article between a downstream end
of the power source and the cartomizer portion, and wherein the at
least one vent hole is in fluid communication with a flow control
insert located on an upstream end of an air flow channel of the
cartomizer, the flow control insert having at least one cartomizer
inlet configured to control an amount of air flow to the
cartomizer, and wherein an air flow area of the at least one vent
hole is greater than an air flow area of the at least one
cartomizer inlet.
15. A method of controlling resistance-to-draw of an electronic
smoking article, which includes a reusable portion and a cartomizer
portion, the method comprising: supplying an air flow from one or
more inlets in an outer cylindrical housing of the electronic
smoking article to a cartomizer via a cartomizer inlet having a
fixed diameter configured to control a resistance-to-draw of the
electronic smoking article and wherein the cartomizer inlet is
located inside the outer cylindrical housing of the electronic
smoking article, and wherein a combined air flow area of the one or
more inlets in the outer housing of the electronic smoking article
is greater than a cross-sectional area of the cartomizer inlet;
heating a liquid material from a reservoir to form an aerosol in a
central air channel; combining the at least initially volatilized
liquid material with the air flow from the cartomizer inlet; and
condensing the saturated vapor within the condensation chamber in
communication with the air flow channel to form the aerosol.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the cartomizer inlet comprises:
a gasket in fluid communication with the one or more inlets in the
outer cylindrical housing and wherein the gasket is configured to
provide a seal with an interior surface of the outer cylindrical
housing, and having a central, longitudinal air passage having a
fixed inner diameter configured to provide the resistance-to-draw
(RTD) to the electronic smoking article, and wherein a combined air
flow area of the one or more inlets of the outer cylindrical
housing is greater than a cross-sectional area of the longitudinal
air passage of the gasket.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the cartomizer inlet comprises:
a connector configured to connect the reusable portion to the
cartomizer portion, and wherein the connector has a plurality of
circumferentially spaced apart slots, which is in fluid
communication with one or more cartomizer holes, and wherein the
one or more cartomizer holes are configured to provide a source of
air flow to a heater and wick arrangement of the cartomizer, and
wherein a combined air flow area of the plurality of
circumferentially spaced apart slots is greater than a combined
cross-sectional area of the one or more cartomizer holes.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the one or more inlets in the
outer housing of the electronic smoking article comprises: at least
one vent hole positioned in the reusable portion of the electronic
smoking article between a downstream end of the power source and
the cartomizer portion, and wherein the at least one vent hole is
in fluid communication with a flow control insert located on an
upstream end of an air flow channel of the cartomizer, the flow
control insert having the cartomizer inlet configured to control an
amount of air flow to the cartomizer, and wherein an air flow area
of the one or more inlets is greater than an air flow area of the
at least one cartomizer inlet.
19. The method of claim 15, comprising: supplying the aerosol to a
smoker via a mouth-end insert.
20. A method of establishing a common, predetermined RTD
consistently amongst a plurality of electronic smoking articles,
comprising: for each electronic smoking article, establishing an
airflow path within said electronic smoking article and including
at a location along said airflow path a passage through a resilient
gasket; and for each electronic smoking article, determining an RTD
by disposing a common, rigid tubular member at a location along
said passageway, said tubular member having an inner diameter that
establishes said common, predetermined RTD in said electronic
smoking article.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/857,931, filed on
Jul. 24, 2013, the entire content of which is hereby incorporated
by reference.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
[0002] Electronic smoking articles.
SUMMARY
[0003] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an electronic
smoking article capable of providing a cigarette experience without
combusting tobacco, comprises: an outer cylindrical housing
extending in a longitudinal direction, the outer cylindrical
housing having one or more inlets configured to allow air to be
drawn into the smoking article; a power source; a cartomizer, which
includes: a reservoir; a heater and wick arrangement in
communication with the reservoir including liquid material and
operative to volatilize liquid material to produce an aerosol; and
a gasket in fluid communication with the one or more inlets and
configured to provide a seal with an interior surface of the outer
cylindrical housing and having a central, longitudinal air passage
configured to provide resistance-to-draw (RTD) to the smoking
article, and wherein a combined air flow area of the one or more
inlets of the outer cylindrical housing is greater than a
cross-sectional area of the longitudinal air passage of the gasket;
a condensation chamber in communication with an outlet on a
downstream end of the cartomizer; and a mouth-end insert.
[0004] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an electronic
smoking article capable of providing a cigarette experience without
combusting tobacco, comprises: a reusable portion housing a power
source and circuitry; a cartomizer portion housing a cartomizer,
which includes: a reservoir; and a heater and wick arrangement in
communication with the reservoir including liquid material and
operative to volatilize liquid material to produce an aerosol; a
condensation chamber in communication with an outlet on a
downstream end of the air flow channel; and a mouth-end insert; and
a connector configured to connect the reusable portion to the
cartomizer portion, and wherein the connector has a plurality of
circumferentially spaced apart slots, which is in fluid
communication with one or more cartomizer holes, and wherein the
one or more cartomizer holes are configured to provide a source of
air flow to the heater and wick arrangement of the cartomizer, and
wherein a combined air flow area of the plurality of
circumferentially spaced apart slots is greater than a combined
cross-sectional area of the one or more cartomizer holes.
[0005] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an electronic
smoking article capable of providing a cigarette experience without
combusting tobacco, comprises: a reusable portion housing a power
source and circuitry; a cartomizer portion housing a cartomizer,
which includes: a reservoir; and a heater and wick arrangement in
communication with the reservoir including liquid material and
operative to volatilize liquid material to produce an aerosol; a
condensation chamber in communication with an outlet on a
downstream end of the air flow channel; and a mouth-end insert; and
at least one vent hole positioned in the reusable portion of the
smoking article between a downstream end of the power source and
the cartomizer portion, and wherein the at least one vent hole is
in fluid communication with a flow control insert located on an
upstream end of an air flow channel of the cartomizer, the flow
control insert having at least one cartomizer inlet configured to
control an amount of air flow to the cartomizer, and wherein an air
flow area of the at least one vent hole is greater than an air flow
area of the at least one cartomizer inlet.
[0006] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method of
controlling resistance-to-draw of an electronic smoking article,
which includes a reusable portion and a cartomizer portion,
comprises: supplying an air flow from one or more inlets in an
outer cylindrical housing of the smoking article to a cartomizer
via a cartomizer inlet having a fixed diameter configured to
control a resistance-to-draw of the smoking article and wherein the
cartomizer inlet is located inside the outer cylindrical housing of
the electronic smoking article, and wherein a combined air flow
area of the one or more inlets in the outer housing of the smoking
article is greater than a cross-sectional area of the cartomizer
inlet; heating a liquid material from a reservoir to form an
aerosol in a central air channel; combining the at least initially
volatilized liquid material with the air flow from the cartomizer
inlet; and condensing the saturated vapor within the condensation
chamber in communication with the air flow channel to form the
aerosol.
[0007] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a method of
establishing a common, predetermined RTD consistently amongst a
plurality of electronic smoking articles includes: for each
electronic smoking article, establishing an airflow path within
said electronic smoking article and including at a location along
said airflow path a passage through a resilient gasket; and for
each smoking article, determining an RTD by disposing a common,
rigid tubular member at a location along said passageway, said
tubular member having an inner diameter that establishes said
common, predetermined RTD in said smoking article.
[0008] The electronic smoking article can also include a mouth-end
insert in fluid communication with the condensation chamber so as
to deliver aerosol to a smoker (or vaporer).
[0009] As used herein, the term "electronic smoking article" is
inclusive of all types of electronic smoking articles, regardless
of form, size or shape, including electronic cigarettes, electronic
cigars, electronic pipes, electronic hookahs and the like. The
liquid aerosol formulation can include nicotine or be nicotine
free. Moreover, the liquid aerosol formulation can include tobacco
flavors or instead, or in combination include other suitable
flavors
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The accompanying figures are included to provide a further
understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The figures illustrate
embodiments of the invention and, together with the description,
serve to explain the principles of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-section view of an electronic smoking
article in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartomizer section of an
electronic smoking article with and without the outer housing
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electronic smoking
article in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the connector as shown in
FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electronic smoking
article having a connector as shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of an electronic smoking
article having a connector as shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an electrical smoking
article in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flow control insert of the
smoking article as shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the flow control insert as
shown in FIG. 7 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view of the gasket of the
electronic smoking article of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] In an electronic smoking article 100, the difference between
the pressure of the incoming and outgoing air can be referred to as
the resistance-to-draw (RTD) of the article 100. For example, the
resistance-to-draw is the resistance offered by the electronic
smoking article 100, as the smoker (or vaporer) draws on the
article. Having an article's resistance-to-draw (RTD) within an
appropriate range can be important for delivering a good smoker
experience. For example, the factors that define the RTD of an
electronic smoking article 100 can include the resistance offered
to the airflow by the geometry of the article 100 and the flow rate
at which air is drawn into the article 100. While the flow rate can
be controlled by the smoker, the geometry design of the article 100
can be used to achieve a targeted RTD range and regulate which
hole(s) or passage(s) within the article 100 can control the RTD of
the article 100.
[0022] In some electronic smoking article designs, if a smoker or
consumer inadvertently blocks one or both of the air vent holes (or
cartomizer holes) partially or completely, this can result in an
increase in the RTD of the article 100. Accordingly, it would be
desirable to provide an electronic smoking article 100, wherein the
hole(s) or passage(s), which control the resistance-to-draw (RTD),
are inside the electronic smoking article 100 as disclosed herein.
In addition, it would be desirable to have an electronic smoking
article 100 that is configured such that if the smoker and/or
consumers blocks or obstructs one or more of the air vent holes
with his or her fingers, the blockage or obstruction of the one or
more air vent holes will not significantly influence the
resistance-to-draw (RTD).
[0023] In accordance with exemplary embodiments, as shown in FIGS.
1-9, the resistance-to-draw (RTD) can be located inside the
electronic smoking article in such a way that the airflow is not
impacted by the usage behavior of the consumer, for example, how
the smoker and/or consumer holds the electronic smoking article. In
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an electronic smoking
article is disclosed having a gasket with a central, longitudinal
air passage having a fixed diameter (or hole size), which can be
configured to control a desired resistance-to-draw (RTD) of the
electronic smoking article. In addition, by controlling the desired
resistance-to-draw from within the electronic smoking article, the
size of the one or more inlets or vent holes in the outer housing
become less critical, such that the resistance-to-draw of the
electronic smoking article 100 is not impacted by the usage
behavior of the consumer, for example, how he or she handles the
electronic smoking article.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a schematic diagram of
an electronic smoking article 100, such as an electronic cigarette
according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the
electronic smoking article 100 comprises a reusable fixture (or
first section) 110, and a replaceable cartomizer section (or second
section) 120, which are coupled together at a threaded joint (not
shown) or by other convenience such as a snug-fit, snap-fit,
detent, clamp and/or clasp.
[0025] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the first
section 110 can house a power supply 112 and control circuitry 114.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the replaceable
cartomizer section 120 includes a connector portion 130, a
cartomizer 140, a condensation chamber 150, and a mouth-end insert
160.
[0026] The reusable fixture 110 and the cartomizer section 120 have
a generally cylindrical outer housing 102 extending in a
longitudinal direction along the length of the electronic smoking
article 100. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the
electronic smoking article 100 is formed so that the diameter of
the electronic cigarette is substantially uniform along the length
thereof. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the outer
cylindrical housing 102 is substantially continuous along the
length thereof and can be rigid.
[0027] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a pressure
activated switch (not shown) can be positioned on an outer surface
of the outer cylindrical housing 102, which acts to activate a
heater. By applying manual pressure to the pressure switch, the
power supply is activated and an electric current heats a liquid or
liquid material 144 in the cartomizer 140 via electrical contacts
so as to volatilize the liquid material 144. For example, a
depression (not shown) can be formed in the outer cylindrical
housing 102 to indicate where the smoker or consumer should apply
pressure. The depression can extend fully or partially about the
circumference of the outer cylindrical housing 102.
[0028] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the power supply
112 is activated upon application of manual pressure to the
pressure switch and the cartomizer 140 is heated to form a heated
section wherein the liquid material 144 within a fluid reservoir
(or liquid supply region) 142 is volatilized. Upon discharge from a
central air flow channel 180, the volatilized material expands,
mixes with air and forms an aerosol.
[0029] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the cartomizer
section 120 includes the reservoir 142 including a liquid material
144 and a heater and wick arrangement 170 in fluid communication
with the reservoir 142, such that the wick arrangement 170 draws or
wicks the liquid material 144 from the reservoir 142 and heats the
liquid material 144 to form an aerosol in a central air channel
180. The cartomizer section 120 includes an outer tube (or housing)
104 extending in a longitudinal direction and an inner tube (or
chimney) 200 coaxially positioned within the outer tube 104.
[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the power supply 112 is operable
to apply voltage across a heater and wick arrangement 170
associated with the cartomizer 140 and volatilizes the liquid
material 144 contained therein according to a power cycle of either
a predetermined time period, such as a 5 second period, or for so
long as the pressure activated switch is pressed. The heater and
wick arrangement 170 can include a heater 172 and a filamentary
wick 174.
[0031] In use, for example, liquid material 144 is transferred from
the reservoir 142 in proximity of the heater and wick arrangement
170 by capillary action of the filamentary wick 174. In an
embodiment, the filamentary wick 174 has a first end portion and a
second end portion, wherein the first end and the second end extend
into opposite sides of the reservoir for contact with liquid
material contained therein. Also preferably, the heater 172 at
least partially surrounds a central portion of the filamentary wick
174 such that when the heater 172 is activated, the liquid in the
central portion of the filamentary wick 174 is vaporized by the
heater 172 to form an aerosol.
[0032] The filamentary wick 174 preferably comprises filaments
having a capacity to draw a liquid, more preferably a bundle of
glass (or ceramic) filaments and most preferably a bundle
comprising a group of windings of glass filaments, preferably three
of such windings, all which arrangements are capable of drawing
liquid via capillary action via interstitial spacings between the
filaments. Alternatively, in place of the filamentary wick 174, a
heated capillary or capillary tube (not shown) can be used, which
volatilizes a liquid such as by way of the teachings set forth in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,251, which is incorporated herein in its
entirety by reference thereto.
[0033] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the inner tube
200 has an upstream end portion 202 and a downstream end portion
204. An upstream gasket (or seal) 210 is fitted into the upstream
end portion 202 of the inner tube 200, while at the same time, an
outer perimeter 222 of the gasket 210 provides a liquid-tight seal
with an interior surface 108 of the outer housing 104. In
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the gasket 210 preferably
includes a central, longitudinal air passage (or channel) 220,
which opens into an interior 212 of the inner tube 200 that defines
a central channel 180.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 10, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, the gasket 210 can include a rigid tubular gasket
insert 240, which can be inserted into a central passage 220 of the
gasket 210 and extends at least partially through the central
passage 220 of the gasket 210. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, the gasket insert 240 can be a metal tubular insert,
which is configured to provide a precisely defined orifice or
outlet 224 so to consistently provide a desired resistance-to-draw
from one electronic smoking article 100 to the next. In this
embodiment, the gasket 210 may be constructed of a resilient
material so that its capacity to seal remains intact. The rigid
insert 240 not only provides a way to exactly control RTD, but also
facilitates effecting a change in the desired RTD, which would
require only a change in the inner diameter of the insert 240.
[0035] The central, longitudinal passage 220 has an upstream end
221 and a downstream end 223. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, air enters the electronic smoking article 100 through
one or more inlets 190 in the outer housing 104. The upstream end
221 of the longitudinal air passage 220 is in fluid communication
with the one or more inlets 190. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, the downstream end 223 of the longitudinal passage 220
has a gasket outlet 224. Once the air enters the cartomizer section
120, the air passes through the gasket outlet 224 before reaching
the heater and wick arrangement 170. In accordance with an
exemplary embodiment, the gasket outlet 224 can have a fixed
cross-sectional shape, for example, round or oval, which helps
control the overall resistance-to-draw (RTD) of the electronic
smoking article 100 as opposed to external cartomizer holes or
vents within the outer housing 104.
[0036] The power source 112 can be a Lithium-ion battery or one of
its variants, for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. The power
source 112 may be a Nickel-metal hydride battery, a Nickel cadmium
battery, a Lithium-manganese battery, a Lithium-cobalt battery or a
fuel cell. In that case, preferably, the electronic smoking article
100 is usable by a smoker until the energy in the power supply is
depleted. The power source 112 may be rechargeable and include
circuitry allowing the battery to be chargeable by an external
charging article. In that case, the circuitry, when charged,
provides power for a pre-determined number of puffs, after which
the circuitry may be re-connected to an external charging
article.
[0037] The electronic smoking article 100 also includes control
circuitry 114, which can be on a printed circuit board (not shown).
Once the pressure switch is pressed, the power supply is activated
and supplies power to the heater 172. The control circuitry 114 can
also include a heater activation light (not shown) operable to glow
when the heater 172 is activated. Preferably, the heater activation
light comprises an LED and is at an upstream end 106 of the
electronic smoking article 100 so that the heater activation light
makes end 106 glow with the appearance of a burning coal during a
puff.
[0038] The control circuitry 114 is electrically connected to the
pressure switch (not shown) and supplies power to a heater 172 of a
heater and wick arrangement 170, which is responsive to pressing
the pressure switch, preferably with a maximum, time-period limiter
(e.g. a timing circuit). The control circuitry 114 can also include
a timer operable to limit the time for which power is supplied to
the heater 172. The time-period of the electric current supply to
the heater 172 may be pre-set depending on the amount of liquid
desired to be vaporized. The control circuitry 114 can be
programmable for this purpose. The control circuitry can be an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
[0039] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the cartomizer
section 120 includes a reservoir 142 including a liquid material
144 and a heater and wick arrangement 170 that draws or wicks
liquid material 144 from the reservoir 142 and heats the liquid to
form an aerosol in a central air channel 214. Upon completing the
threaded connection, the power source 112 is electrically connected
with the heater and wick arrangement 170. The liquid material 144
can include a tobacco-containing material including volatile
tobacco flavor compounds, which are released from the liquid
material 144 upon heating. The liquid material 144 may also be a
tobacco flavor containing material and/or a nicotine-containing
material. Alternatively, or in addition, the liquid material 144
may include a non-tobacco material and/or may be nicotine-free. For
example, the liquid material 144 may include water, solvents,
ethanol, plant extracts and natural or artificial flavors.
Preferably, the liquid material 144 further includes an aerosol
former. Examples of suitable aerosol formers are glycerine and
propylene glycol.
[0040] The electronic smoking article 100 further includes a
mouth-end insert 160, which is in fluid communication with the
condensation chamber 150 and includes at least two diverging
outlets (not shown), for example 3, 4, 5, or preferably 6 to 10
outlets or more. Preferably, four outlets of the mouth-end insert
160 are located at ends of off-axis passages and are angled
outwardly in relation to the longitudinal direction of the
electronic smoking article 100 (i.e., divergently). As used herein,
the term "off-axis" denotes at an angle to the longitudinal
direction of the electronic cigarette. Also preferably, the
mouth-end insert 160 includes outlets uniformly distributed around
the mouth-end insert 160 so as to substantially uniformly
distribute aerosol in a smoker's mouth during use. Thus, as the
aerosol passes into a smoker's mouth, the aerosol enters the mouth
and moves in different directions so as to provide a full mouth
feel as compared to electronic cigarettes having an on-axis single
orifice, which directs the aerosol to a single location in a
smoker's mouth.
[0041] In an embodiment, the electronic smoking article 100 is
about the same size as a conventional cigarette. In some
embodiments, the electronic cigarette 60 can be about 80 mm to
about 110 mm long, preferably about 80 mm to about 100 mm long and
about 7 mm to about 8 mm in diameter. For example, in an
embodiment, the electronic cigarette is about 84 mm long and has a
diameter of about 7.8 mm.
[0042] The outer cylindrical housing 102 of the electronic smoking
article 100 may be formed of any suitable material or combination
of materials. Examples of suitable materials include metals,
alloys, plastics or composite materials containing one or more of
those materials, or thermoplastics that are suitable for food or
pharmaceutical applications, for example polypropylene,
polyetheretherketone (PEEK), ceramic, low density polyethylene
(LDPE) and high density polyethylene (HDPE). Preferably, the
material is light and non-brittle. Thus, the outer cylindrical
housing 102 can be formed of a variety of materials including
plastics, rubber and combinations thereof. In a preferred
embodiment, the outer cylindrical housing 102 is formed of
silicone. The outer cylindrical housing 102 can be any suitable
color and/or can include graphics or other indicia printed
thereon.
[0043] The heater and wick arrangement 170 can include an
electrical heating element. The heater portion 172 of the heater
and wick arrangement 170 preferably includes an electrically
resistive material. Suitable electrically resistive materials
include but are not limited to: semiconductors such as doped
ceramics, electrically "conductive" ceramics (such as, for example,
molybdenum disilicide), carbon, graphite, metals, metal alloys and
composite materials made of a ceramic material and a metallic
material. Such composite materials may include doped or undoped
ceramics.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the volatilized liquid material
144 formed as described herein can at least partially condense to
form an aerosol including particles. Preferably, the particles
contained in the vapor and/or aerosol range in size from about 0.5
micron to about 4 microns, preferably about 1 micron to about 4
microns. Also preferably, the particles are substantially uniform
throughout the vapor and/or aerosol.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gasket 210 of the
cartomizer section 140 of an electronic smoking article 100 with
and without the outer housing 104 according to an exemplary
embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the gasket 210 can include an
annular portion 242 having a central, longitudinal air passage 220
having a fixed inner diameter. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, the longitudinal air passage 220 can be configured to
provide a desired resistance-to-draw (RTD) to the smoking article
100, when a total air flow area of the one or more inlets 190 of
the outer cylindrical housing 102 is greater than a cross-sectional
area of the longitudinal air passage 220 of the gasket 210. In
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, by modifying or changing
the size or diameter of the longitudinal air passage 220 of the
gasket 210 and corresponding cross-sectional area (or diameter) of
the gasket outlet 224, the RTD of the electronic smoking article
can be controlled from inside the electronic smoking article 100
rather than based on the inlets 190 on the outer housing 102.
[0046] In accordance with another exemplary embodiment, the gasket
210 can be made out of any hard material that is easily
machineable, for example, plastic (PET, PEEK), stainless steel or
metal to maintain a desired diameter of the longitudinal air
passage 220 of the gasket 210, which can be used to define the RTD
of the electronic smoking article. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, for example, if the gasket 210 is manufactured from a
relatively hard material, an annular seal or O-ring (not shown) can
be positioned around the outer perimeter 222 of the gasket 210 to
form a seal between the outer perimeter 222 of the gasket 210 and
inner portion of the outer housing 104.
[0047] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an electronic smoking
article 100 having a connector 300 for connecting the reusable
fixture 110 to the cartomizer section 120. In accordance with an
exemplary embodiment, air flow enters the electronic smoking
article 100 through a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart
slots 302 generated by "castling" within the connector 300. The
plurality of slots 302 in combination with an outer surface of the
cartomizer section 120 forms a continuous annular channel 350
between an inner surface of the plurality of flanges 320 and the
outer surface of the cartomizer section 120. The continuous annular
channel 350 is configured to be in fluid communication with the one
or more cartomizer vent holes 340. After entering through the
plurality of slots 302 into the annular channel 350, the air enters
the cartomizer 140 through one or more cartomizer vent holes 340,
which are in fluid communication with the annular channel 350.
[0048] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the one or more
cartomizer vent holes 340 are circumferentially spaced around the
cartomizer section 120 and provide a controlling parameter for the
resistance-to-draw (RTD) of the electronic smoking article 100. In
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, for example, the
electronic smoking article 100 can be configured with two
cartomizer vent holes 340, which are circumferentially spaced apart
approximately 180 degrees from one another on an outer portion of
the cartomizer 140. The two or more cartomizer vent holes 340 are
configured to be in fluid communication with the longitudinal air
passage 220 of the cartomizer 140.
[0049] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, depending upon
the RTD desired, the one or more cartomizer vent holes 340 and the
slots 302 within the connector 300 are configured in such a way
that blocking the cartomizer vent holes 340 does not affect the RTD
of the electronic smoking article 100. For example, the number and
size of slots 302 can be designed in such a way that blocking any
of the slots 302 would not change the RTD, which allows consumers
to hold and use the article 100 as per their convenience. In
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a combined air flow area
of the plurality of circumferentially spaced apart slots 302 is
preferably greater than a combined cross-sectional area of the one
or more cartomizer holes 340, which allows the one or more
cartomizer holes 340 to control the resistance-to-draw of the
electronic smoking article.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 4, the connector 300 has a cylindrical
housing 310 with a first end 312 and a second end 314. The first
end 312 has a plurality of flanges 320 (or "castles"), which are
concentric to the first end 312 of the connector 300, and one or
more openings 330 formed between the plurality of flanges 320. The
plurality of flanges 320 and the one or more openings 330 form the
plurality of slots 302 when the reusable fixture (or first section)
110 and the replaceable cartomizer section (or second section) 120
are coupled together. The one or more openings 330 are configured
to allow air to enter into a continuous annular channel 350 on an
upstream end 121 of the cartomizer section 120. Each of the
plurality of flanges 320 preferably has a relatively round portion
322 and an angled portion 324.
[0051] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS.
4-6, the connector 300 can include four slots 302, which includes
two diametrically opposite slots 302, which are aligned with two or
more cartomizer vent holes 340 with the other two slots 302 not in
alignment with the two or more cartomizer vent holes 340. As shown
in FIG. 5, the two or more cartomizer vent holes 340 are located
within the continuous annular channel 350. In accordance with an
exemplary embodiment, openings for each of the two or more
cartomizer vent holes 340 are configured to face the upstream end
106 of the article 100, such that the axes for each of the two or
more cartomizer vent holes 340 are preferably perpendicular to the
outer housing 102 of the electronic smoking article 100.
[0052] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, for example, to
achieve a target RTD of about 100 to 130 mm of water, the
cartomizer vent holes 340 can have a diameter of about 0.50 to
about 1.0 mm, and more preferably a diameter of about 0.63 mm and
the width of the one or more slots can be about 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm,
for example, 1.25 mm to 2.75 mm. However, the diameter of the of
the cartomizer holes 340 can vary from about 0.50 mm to about 1.50
mm depending on the desired resistance-to-draw of the electronic
smoking article in combination with one or more design features of
the cartomizer 140 and the amount of air flow which is desired in
the interior 212 of the inner tube 200 of the cartomizer 140.
[0053] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an electronic smoking
article having a connector as shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment. For example, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, in order to achieve a target resistance-to-draw (RTD)
in a range of about 100 mm to about 130 mm of water, the cartomizer
hole 340 size can be approximately 0.63 mm, which can produce a
resistance-to-draw of about 119 mm of water when each of the four
slots 302 are open and/or unobstructed.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 5, the airflow 360 enters the electronic
smoking article 100 through the one or more slots 302 and into the
cartomizer 140 through two or more cartomizer vent holes 340, which
are in fluid communication with the heater and wick arrangement
170. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the two or more
cartomizer vent holes 340 are positioned within the outer
cylindrical housing 102 such that if one or more of the slots 302
is blocked or obstructed, the flow of air 360 is allowed to enter
the cartomizer vent holes 340 via the annular channel 350.
[0055] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of an electronic smoking
article having a connector as shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in
accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the electronic smoking
article 100 can include two cartomizer vent holes 340 having a
diameter of approximately 0.63 mm and four slots 302. In accordance
with an exemplary embodiment, in which both the slots 302 aligned
with the cartomizer holes 340 can produce a resistance-to-draw
(RTD) of about 135 mm of water. In an exemplary embodiment, in
which one slot 302 aligned with one of the two cartomizer holes 340
is blocked and/or obstructed, and a second slot 302 at about 90
degrees to the first slot 302 is also blocked and which is not
aligned with the second of the two cartomizer holes 340, the
electronic smoking article 100 can produce a resistance-to-draw of
about 137 mm of water.
[0056] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an electronic smoking
article 100 having one or more vent holes 400 within the reusable
fixture 110 of the electronic smoking article 100 and a flow
control insert 500. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the
air vent holes 400 can be placed in the reusable fixture (or
battery end) 110 of the electronic smoking article 100. As shown in
FIG. 7, the air enters the electronic smoking article 100 through
the plurality of vent holes 400, which are in fluid communication
with the opening (not shown) on the upstream end of the cartomizer
140 in the cartomizer section 120 to the electronic smoking article
100. For example, the plurality of vent holes 400 can be in fluid
communication with the gasket 210. The air will enter the
cartomizer 140 through the gasket outlet 224.
[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flow control insert 500 of
the electronic smoking article 100 as shown in FIG. 7. As shown in
FIG. 8, the one or more vent holes 400 can be positioned on a
downstream portion of the reusable fixture 110, for example, at a
downstream end of the power source (or battery) 112. The one or
more vent holes 400 are preferably located around an outer
circumference of the outer housing 102 in such a way that if one or
more of the vent holes 400 are blocked during use, the blocking of
the one or more holes 400 does not change the RTD of the electronic
smoking article 100. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,
the one or more vent holes 400 are in fluid communication with an
inner cavity 410 located between a downstream end of the power
source 112 and an upstream end 420 of a flow control insert 500,
which connects the reusable fixture 110 to the cartomizer section
140. The insert 500 can include a cylindrical housing 510 having an
upstream end 512 and a downstream end 514. In accordance with
exemplary embodiment, the cylindrical housing 510 has a flange 520
on the downstream end 514. Upon assembly of the electronic smoking
article 100, the flange 520 is visible between the reusable fixture
110 and the cartomizer section 140. In accordance with an exemplary
embodiment, for example, an air flow area of the one or more vent
holes 400 is greater than an air flow area (or cross-sectional
area) of one or more cartomizer inlets 530.
[0058] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG.
7, the insert 500 can have one or more cartomizer inlets 530 on an
upstream plate 540, which controls the amount of air, which is
delivered the cartomizer section 140. The one or more cartomizer
inlets 530 are in fluid communication with the one or more vent
holes 400 in the outer housing 102 and the inner cavity 410 and
provide a means for controlling the amount of air flow to the
cartomizer section 140 and the corresponding RTD of the electronic
smoking article 100. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment,
the one or more cartomizer inlets 530 is a single or one round
opening positioned within a center portion of the upstream plate
540. For example, the one or more cartomizer inlets 530 can have a
diameter of about 0.8 to 1.0 mm.
[0059] The teachings herein are applicable to electronic cigars,
and references to "electronic smoking article(s)" is intended to be
inclusive of electronic cigars, electronic cigarettes and the
like.
[0060] When the word "about" is used in this specification in
connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the
associated numerical value include a tolerance of .+-.10% around
the stated numerical value. Moreover, when reference is made to
percentages in this specification, it is intended that those
percentages are based on weight, for example, weight
percentages.
[0061] Moreover, when the words "generally" and "substantially" are
used in connection with geometric shapes, it is intended that
precision of the geometric shape is not required but that latitude
for the shape is within the scope of the disclosure. When used with
geometric terms, the words "generally" and "substantially" are
intended to encompass not only features, which meet the strict
definitions, but also features, which fairly approximate the strict
definitions.
[0062] It will now be apparent that a new, improved, and nonobvious
electronic cigarette has been described in this specification with
sufficient particularity as to be understood by one of ordinary
skill in the art. Moreover, it will be apparent to those skilled in
the art that numerous modifications, variations, substitutions, and
equivalents exist for features of the electronic cigarette, which
do not materially depart from the spirit, and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such
modifications, variations, substitutions, and equivalents, which
fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the
appended claims, shall be embraced by the appended claims.
* * * * *